Own decision instead of others’ interpretation
“It’s never too early for children to start learning to make their own decisions,” says Kantin. Many, she knows, are not used to it. “Mostly it is others who interpret what children want and then make decisions for them.” Lebenshilfe teaches children that their decisions are taken seriously, not just inside the facility or the association, but also outside it as well. “We go out a lot with the children, for example, to the ice cream parlor – for this we also have special symbols on the tablet PC. The children can then show that they want, say, an ice cream “Blue Angel”. The children are thrilled when they actually get what they want. In this way even the owner of the ice cream parlor becomes a part of the therapy.” People in general must learn to accept the fact that disabled people can make their own decisions, Kantin believes. “This gives the children the security they need to feel that they belong.”
“Communication is a human right,” says Hildegard Waldinger, director of education and training at Lebenshilfe Freising. “You cannot live a normal life without communication.” Simplified language is an important aid to achieving this.